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College Football 2016: 25 bold predictions

By Nathaniel Reeves

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) drops back to pass during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) drops back to pass during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 12: Head coach Derek Mason of the Vanderbilt Commodores watches from the sideline during a game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Vanderbilt Stadium on September 12, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 12: Head coach Derek Mason of the Vanderbilt Commodores watches from the sideline during a game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Vanderbilt Stadium on September 12, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

24. Vanderbilt wins seven games

While getting back to the success level of the James Franklin era is going to be difficult for the Commodores, they are poised for a surprisingly decent season in 2016.

Vanderbilt hired Stanford defensive coordinator Derek Mason after Franklin departed following the 2013 season. Mason looked in over his head two years ago, as the Commodores went 3-9 and only narrowly beat teams like UMass and Charleston Southern.

The Commodores only won one more game last year, but there was some progress, including a pair of SEC wins and a strong defense. Eighteen members of that defense will be back, meaning the team should at least be competitive in the conference and could win a few low-scoring games.

Vanderbilt’s offense won’t be good enough to challenge the top tier of the SEC, but it benefits from a manageable schedule. The Commodores have at least three winnable non-conference games, and could easily beat stagnating SEC teams like South Carolina, Kentucky or Missouri.

More talented teams teams like Florida and Georgia have their own flaws, and a signature upset could really get Mason’s tenure rolling.

Next: 23. Georgia upset by UNC, wins eight games

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